The choppy waters of Onset churned with hundreds of triathletes Saturday morning, during the first leg of the sixth annual Escape the Cape triathlon.

Race Director Tim Richmond, of event host Max Performance, said 470 triathletes registered for the race, which was a sprint-style triathlon. Compared with some longer, more elite triathlons, sprint triathlons can be less intimidating and more manageable for newcomers to the sport.

Richmond said everything went well, and that he heard from several people that they would be coming back to Onset to visit the area.

“They loved the courses and they layout, and everything,” Richmond said.

Spectator Bets Ford, of Onset, said she was there to root for her daughter, who was participating in her second triathlon at the age of 45. Ford said she was enjoying the race, as a whole, and didn’t see a problem with cars driving through the route.

“I think they have it very well-organized,” Ford said. “Some people are concerned about traffic, but they do the best they can.”

Sarah Sheppard, of Boston, said she was at the race to support her boyfriend, Thomas Wetmore, who ultimately came in second place. Sheppard said she does not participate in triathlons.

“I come and watch, but that’s about as far as I go,” Sheppard said. “I’ll get up early. That counts, right?”

Joe Rich, 24, of Hanson, who came in first place overall, said he enjoyed the race, but that the pollen was difficult to run through.

“Pollen has affected training for everybody,” Rich said. “I am not allergic to anything, but when pollen comes -- it’s a struggle. I’m congested now!”

Rich, who finished the race in 51 minutes and 58 seconds, said he was planning to participate in an Iron Man in July. He estimated the Escape the Cape triathlon to be his 40th triathlon since he started seven years ago.

Caitlin Campbell, 29, of Boston, came in first for the Elite Women’s division, with a time 0f 57 minutes and 56 seconds.

The race began at Shell Point, where athletes swam a 1/3-mile, point-to-point swim to the Onset Pier. The swim was immediately followed by a 10-mile bike leg through Onset Village, after which athletes returned to the pier to finish with a 3.1-mile run along the East River, to finish at the Onset band shell.